New Jersey Jewish News
Greater Monmouth County Feature
Main Event raises more than $200,000 for Monmouth federation
There was good food, much laughter, and a strong spirit of tikun olam at the eighth annual Main Event on May 17 at Branches in West Long Branch.
The event, sponsored by the Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County, raised $265,000 for the federation’s 2006 annual campaign, according to Jeff Lipkin, the federation’s director of financial resource development.
And two distinct honors were bestowed during the evening: Elise Feldman of Farmingdale received the Woman of Distinction Award and Leah Todres of Marlboro was presented with the Young Leadership Award.
Both women have a long history with the federation and Women’s Philanthropy. Feldman has served as the federation’s annual campaign cochair, outreach vice president, and Women’s Philanthropy campaign chair. She has also been the board development chair and training chair of the business and professional leadership forum of National Women’s Philanthropy.
Feldman is founder and president of Feldman Benefit Services, Inc., an actuarial firm that designs and administers employee benefit programs, and Outsource, Inc., a human resources consulting firm, both in Springfield. She is vice president and cochair of membership of the Small Business Council of America, a member of the American Society of Pension Actuaries, a member of the Financial Planning Association, a faculty member of Farleigh Dickinson University’s Department of Continuing Education, and an instructor for the Greater Newark Society of Financial Service Professionals.
In 2004, Feldman received the Kipnis-Wilson Friedland Award from UJC for her work in philanthropy and community volunteerism.
Todres was part of the inaugural Main Event committee and cofounded the Young Women’s Division. She has served on the young leadership cabinet, general campaign
cabinet, and personnel committee. Todres currently serves on the federation’s executive committee as campaign chair for Women’s Philanthropy and was recently elected executive vice president of the Marlboro Jewish Center, where she serves on the board of trustees.
Feldman said her parents taught her the value of a generous spirit and its connection to family.
“My mother and my father taught me tzedaka at an early age,” said Feldman. “The participation, commitment, and support of my family, friends, and the women in my office who share my life enable me to do the work that is so important to me.”
Despite the many crises that loom on the worldwide stage, Feldman has a positive view of the future.
“I believe we will work through the issues of the nations who are building nuclear power, some with the intent of blowing up the State of Israel,” she said. “Why? Because the dollars we raise will foster international consciousness promoting religious freedom for all mankind.
“Israel will continue to grow healthy and strong, a home away from home, for all Jewish people,” she continued. “The dollars we raise will help keep that economy healthy and enable Israel to integrate and absorb Jews who want or need to go there and live.”
The levels of success achieved by members of the American-Jewish community must be preserved by providing quality religious and secular educational opportunities to ensuing generations, she added. The effort involves raising funds to educate teachers, the purchase of innovative educational materials, a constant retelling of the stories of Jewish heritage and tradition, and preserving the quality of life of senior members of the community, Feldman said.
“Women will control two-thirds of the charitable dollars in another 15 years,” said Feldman. “We will have earned it or inherited it. It is up to us to give it wisely, to make sure our children give their share of tzedaka, and to take care of our own.”
Concern for the welfare of others has also been an integral part of Todres’ life.
“All my life, I have always felt that I was lucky to have been born into the warm and caring family I grew up with,” Todres said. “My parents instilled in us the importance of doing the right thing. They showed us by example the importance of being involved and volunteering.”
Her parents, both of whom were involved in a wide range of synagogue activities, also taught her to be proud of her Jewish heritage and to recognize the value of a loving and supportive family.
“Because of all these things, I stand here as an example of what is really important — tzedaka, caring, and giving to others,” said Todres. “I have been afforded the opportunity to learn and experience firsthand the true meaning of tzedaka. I am lucky to have been mentored by some remarkable women, including Elise Feldman. They have taught me that it is not simply writing the check or putting together the event; it is also educating those around us, especially our children, and to witness the impact we have on people.”
This summer, Todres will be part of a federation mission to Odessa and Israel.
“I’m lucky that I will be able to observe the incredible work that the federation does,” she said. “I’m lucky to have the privilege of working for the Jewish community and to show the community that we care and that being caring Jews is important to us. We are all lucky for that.”
The evening’s entertainment was provided by award-winning comedian Judy Gold, who drew a steady stream of laughter from the 240-member audience.
Many of her anecdotes touched upon Jewish family life and her experiences as a gay Jew.
“I call my mother every day for new material for my act,” Gold said. “Everyone in this audience knows what I mean by that.”
The “Jewish mother syndrome” also affects her own children, said Gold, who has two sons with her former partner.
“My kids have two Jewish mothers,” she said. “Two, can you believe it? You really have to feel sorry for those kids.”
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